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Tomography

What is computed tomography? Why and how is it taken?

Many diseases are nowadays determined by modern imaging methods and treatment plans are made accordingly. Computerised tomography CT provides important conveniences thanks to its reliable results and fast shooting feature.

What is Computed Tomography (CT)?

Tomography; It comes from the Greek word Tomos, which means cut, slice, part, and the word Graphein, which means writing, recording.
Computed Tomography (CT) is an imaging method that uses a special X-ray beam to create detailed pictures or scans of areas within the body. It combines X-ray images taken from different angles to create cross-sectional images of bones, vessels and soft tissues.

In which diseases is computerised tomography (CT) used?

Diagnosis of bone fractures, disorders or bone tumours
Determination of injuries to internal organs and internal haemorrhages
Determining the location of a tumour, infection or blood clot in the body
In the planning of surgery, biopsy or radiation treatments
Providing visual assistance with certain interventional procedures such as biopsy or needle aspiration
Detection of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, lung nodules and liver masses
Measurement of bone strength
Monitoring the effectiveness of some treatments, such as cancer treatment
Determination of cancer stage
Colorectal cancer screening
Kidney and bladder stones
Inflammatory diseases such as ulcerative colitis and sinusitis

How is computerised tomography (CT) performed?

Eating and drinking should be stopped a few hours before the computerised tomography procedure.
Some or all of the clothes are removed and a hospital gown is worn. At this time, metal objects such as belts, jewellery, piercings, hairpins, dentures and glasses that may interfere with image quality are removed.
The patient lies on the table during the computed tomography procedure. In some types of Computed Tomography, the table on which the patient lies is fixed and the device is mobile, while in some types of Computed Tomography, the table on which the patient lies can be mobile and the device can be fixed. The table on which the patient lies passes through a circular shaped motorised X-ray source. The patient can lie on his/her back or face down on the table according to the examination to be performed.
Since the patient will not move during the Computerised Tomography procedure, it is important that the patient is in a comfortable position. Movement of the patient during imaging may cause problems in the clarity of the images to be obtained. Therefore, the patient may be asked to hold his/her breath during the procedure to make the images clearer.
Foam pillows and straps can be used to make the patient comfortable.
During Computerised Tomography imaging, sounds may be heard from the machine. The table the patient is on may make small movements during imaging.
The patient is alone in the room during the computed tomography procedure. However, there is a system where the radiology specialist can see, listen and talk to the patient.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Computed Tomography

How does computerised tomography (CT) work?

Computerised Tomography consists of a circular device and a table on which the patient lies. A motorised X-ray source rotating around the circular opening of the tomography device provides imaging. During the computed tomography procedure, images taken from different angles of the body with X-rays show organs, bones or other tissues as a thin section. The sections taken are combined by the computer to create a 3D image. The radiology doctor can examine the 3-dimensional image created, or each section obtained can be evaluated alone.

What Should Be Considered Before Computerised Tomography?

Patients who are pregnant or suspected of being pregnant should share this information with their doctor. The radiology doctor may recommend another imaging method instead of Computerised Tomography.
Allergy, diabetes, thyroid or kidney failure should be informed.
If there is a fear of staying indoors, it should be shared with the doctor.
Information about devices attached to the body such as pacemakers or drug pumps should be given.
Fasting may be required before the computed tomography procedure. The doctor should be consulted about this issue.
The circular area of the Computed Tomography machine may be narrow for obese patients. This should be evaluated in advance and a different alternative should be chosen if necessary.

What are the Hazards or Risks of Computed Tomography?

One of the most curious issues that patients are most curious about in the use of Computerised Tomography is whether the amount of radiation received causes a problem.

Computerised Tomography is life-saving in the diagnosis of life-threatening conditions such as bleeding, blood clots or cancer. However, computed tomography uses x-rays during imaging and all rays produce ionising radiation.

Since computerised tomography provides more detailed imaging, the amount of radiation is higher than the radiation received during X-rays.

The low radiation doses used in Computed Tomography scans have very low long-term damages. In addition, with the developing technology, almost the whole body can be scanned in seconds with much faster and lower doses of radiation. It is generally thought that the risk of any person developing a fatal cancer from a typical Computed Tomography procedure is 1 in 2000.

Does Computed Tomography Harm Pregnant Women?

Before the CT scan, the patient should tell the radiology doctor if she is pregnant or has any suspicions about pregnancy. If the body area imaged during computed tomography is not the abdomen or pelvis, the radiation applied does not pose a risk to the unborn baby. In cases where the pelvis or abdomen needs to be imaged, your doctor may consider options such as MRI or ultrasound.

How are children and babies given a CT scan?

Young children or infants may be sedated during computed tomography. It is necessary to stay still for the clarity of the image to be obtained in computed tomography. Since it is difficult to achieve this in children and infants, it may be necessary to use sedatives.

Does Computed Tomography Harm Children?

The faster division of cells during the growth period can make children more sensitive to radiation. Considering that the life expectancy of children is likely to be longer than adults, they should be less exposed to radiation.

Children who had multiple CT scans before the age of 15 were found to have an increased risk of leukaemia and brain tumours within 10 years.

However, low dose use in children and fast shots with advancing technology minimise the risk that may occur.

Is Computerised Tomography a Painful Procedure?

Computed Tomography is a completely painless imaging procedure. Standing still or holding the breath for a while during tomography may cause a feeling of discomfort. Side effects of the contrast agent used in medicated tomography can also be seen.

What is the Difference Between Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance (MR)?

While CT uses x-rays, i.e. radiation, in the imaging technique, Magnetic Resonance (MR) uses radio waves with magnetic fields in imaging.
Magnetic Resonance (MR) is more prominent in the diagnosis of disorders such as cerebrospinal diseases, sports injuries, musculoskeletal system, neurological diseases. Tomography is used to obtain cross-sectional 3D images.
Tomography gives much faster results than Magnetic Resonance imaging.

How Many Minutes Does Computerised Tomography Take?

The duration of Computed Tomography depends on the size of the area to be scanned. Thanks to the advancing technology, many imaging can be completed even in seconds. In general, there are imaging times ranging from a few minutes to 30 minutes.

What should be done to minimise the harm of computed tomography?

Since Computerised Tomography provides imaging with radiation, it can cause unwanted health problems such as cancer in both adults and children in the long term, albeit in low probability. There are a number of measures that can be taken to get rid of the damages of Computerised Tomography.

Investigate whether there are other alternative methods to computerised tomography imaging for your treatment and diagnosis.
Do not insist on computerised tomography imaging if you are told that it is not necessary.
If you are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, discuss this information with your doctor.
Ask if a protective shield will be used. If you or your children are having X-rays, ask if a lead apron or other shield will be used.
Keep a list of imaging procedures that have used X-rays, such as a list of medicines used.
Check whether low doses of radiation are used, especially in children.
The area of the body scanned with computed tomography should be limited to the smallest necessary area.
For many diagnoses, very high imaging quality is not required. High imaging quality implies a high dose of radiation. In most cases, low-dose images may be sufficient for diagnosis.

Computed Tomography Results

Computed Tomography images are stored as electronic data files and are usually reviewed on a computer screen. The radiologist interprets these images and sends a report. If the radiologist does not see any tumours, blood clots, fractures or other abnormalities in the images, the CT scan results are considered normal. If any abnormality is detected during the CT scan, other tests or treatments may be needed depending on the type of abnormality found.